Students will have the opportunity to learn about alcohol education in the "Tacky or Tasteful?" fashion show Monday.
The show, a collaborative effort of the West Virginia University Department of Community Medicine, WELL WVU, WVU sororities, the Waterfront Spa and Bead Monster Boutique, will educate students about the effects of alcohol on the way females dress and act.
Ruth Kershner, an associate professor in the WVU Department of Community Medicine, helped organize the event and hopes students will be drawn in by the fun element of the show, which will also include a game show with prizes.
"It is going to be funny but factual, because we want to increase awareness for students about alcohol, and how it can impact young women, young men and safety," she said.
While alcohol education is important for all people to learn, Kershner claims the effects alcohol has on college women are often reflected in their wardrobes.
She believes addressing alcohol awareness from this perspective would educate students in a fresh way.
"You know you’ll never see girls downtown in a coat, even if it’s 3 degrees," she said. "So we are kind of looking at this bigger issue in a lighthearted way."
Kershner recruited two girls from each sorority to demonstrate tacky dressing and two girls to demonstrate tasteful dressing.
"I wanted to have sororities be part of this so they could act as educators," Kershner said. "I like the voices of WVU students having input."
Winners will be chosen for tackiest and most tasteful dress.
There will also be an intermission with a game show audience members may participate in for prizes, including gift certificates from the Monster Bead Boutique and the Waterfront Spa.
This isn’t the first time Kershner has worked to increase alcohol awareness at WVU.
In the past, she has hosted poster contests, rap competitions and T-shirt design contests. She once even brought a DUI simulator to campus.
"We don’t always want to do lectures and things," she said. "I like to illicit student participation in ways that will grab their attention."
Kershner said she and others work to educate students while also recognizing that drinking is inevitable.
"We’re not telling young people not to drink," she said. "We are telling people who are of age to be responsible and take care of friends."
The fashion show is Monday at 8 p.m. in the Mountainlair.
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